Before they call, I will answer (Isaiah 65:24)

(I took this picture near my house during a brisk-walk session)

Dear Friends,

A very blessed and joyous new year to you!

Thanks for stopping by my combined Word-Filled Wednesday and Thankful Thursday post. This post was originally posted on Monday.

♥ Thank God for seeing us through another year of walking with Him and serving Him. May God grant us a closer walk with Him and a deeper love and devotion to Him.

♥ Thank God for granting me a very refreshing and fruitful weekend and Lord's day of worship, fellowship and service. Trust you too have had a very blessed and restful weekend!

♥ Thank God for preserving and restoring the health of Madam Chan. I shared about a wonderful reunion with her recently after 10 years interval. Madam Chan is 92 years old and came to know the Lord more than 10 years ago and I was then given the privilege to minister to her. Thank God that she was baptised recently on 7 December 2008.

Madam Chan was very sick last week and I thought the Lord might take her home. Thank God for restoring her health and she is better now. She is continuing to trust in the Lord and waiting upon Him to call her home to Himself. She is full of thanfkulness to our Lord despite her bodily afflictions. She is a wonderful encouragement to me and my brethren.

♥ Thank God for providing my family, church brethren and blogging friends who continue to care and encourage me in many ways.

♥ Thank God He knows our every need and will provide for us. A friend and brother-in-Christ send me this very very encouraging story of God knowing our needs and providing for us even before we ask Him. May this encouraging story encourages our heart in this new year as we walk with our Lord Jesus Christ and serve Him, trusting in His love and mercies that He will provide for all our needs spiritually and physically.

Isaiah 65:24 "Before they call, I will answer"

This story was written by a doctor who worked in South Africa

One night I had worked hard to help a mother in the labor ward; but in spite of all we could do, she died leaving us with a tiny premature baby and a crying two-year-old daughter. We would have difficulty keeping the baby alive, as we had no incubator (we had no electricity to run an incubator).

We also had no special feeding facilities. Although we lived on the equator, nights were often chilly with treacherous drafts. One student midwife went for the box we had for such babies and the cotton wool that the baby would be wrapped in.

Another went to stoke up the fire and fill a hot water bottle. She came back shortly in distress to tell me that in filling the bottle, it had burst (rubber perishes easily in tropical climates). "And it is our last hot water bottle!" she exclaimed. As in the West, it is no good crying over spilled milk so in Central Africa it might be considered no good crying over burst water bottles They do not grow on trees, and there are no drugstores down forest pathways.

"All right," I said, "put the baby as near the fire as you safely can, and sleep between the baby and the door to keep it free from drafts. Your job is to keep the baby warm."

The following noon, as I did most days, I went to have prayers with any of the orphanage children who chose to gather with me. I gave the youngsters various suggestions of things to pray about and told them about the tiny baby. I explained our problem about keeping the baby warm enough, mentioning the hot water bottle, and that the baby could so easily die if it got chills. I also told them of the two-year-old sister, crying because her mother had died

During prayer time, one ten-year old girl, Ruth, prayed with the usual blunt conciseness of our African children. "Please, God" she prayed, "send us a water bottle. It'll be no good tomorrow, God, as the baby will be dead, so please send it this afternoon."

While I gasped inwardly at the audacity of the prayer, she added, "And while You are about it, would You please send a dolly for the little girl so she'll know You really love her?"

As often with children's prayers, I was put on the spot. Could I honestly say,"Amen". I just did not believe that God could do this. Oh, yes, I know that He can do everything, the Bible says so. But there are limits, aren't there? The only way God could answer this particular prayer would be by sending me a parcel from homeland. I had been in Africa for almost four years at that time, and I had never, ever received a parcel from home. Anyway, if anyone did send me a parcel, who would put in a hot water bottle? I lived on the equator!

Halfway through the afternoon, while I was teaching in the nurses' training school, a message was sent that there was a car at my front door.

By the time I reached home, the car had gone, but there, on the veranda, was a large twenty-two pound parcel. I felt tears pricking my eyes. I could not open the parcel alone, so I sent for the orphanage children.

Together we pulled off the string, carefully undoing each knot. We folded the paper, taking care not to tear it unduly. Excitement was mounting. Some thirty or forty pairs of eyes were focused on the large cardboard box. From the top, I lifted out brightly colored, knitted jerseys. Eyes sparkled as I gave them out. Then there were the knitted bandages for the leprosy patients, and the children looked a little bored. Then came a box of mixed raisins and sultanas - that would make a batch of buns for the weekend Then, as I put my hand in again, I felt the.....could it really be? I grasped it and pulled it out - yes, a brand-new, rubber hot water bottle. I cried. I had not asked God to send it; I had not truly believed that He could. Ruth was in the front row of the children. She rushed forward, crying out, "If God has sent the bottle, He must have sent the dolly too!"

Rummaging down to the bottom of the box, she pulled out the small, beautifully dressed dolly. Her eyes shone! She had never doubted!

Looking up at me, she asked: "Can I go over with you and give this dolly to that little girl, so she'll know that Jesus really loves her?"

That parcel had been on the way for five whole months. Packed up by my former Sunday school class, whose leader had heard and obeyed God's prompting to send a hot water bottle, even to the equator. And one of the girls had put in a dolly for an African child - five months before, in answer to the believing prayer of a ten-year-old to bring it "that afternoon."

"Before they call, I will answer" (Isaiah 65:24)

(My friend, AR, took this picture at Changi Airport, Singapore)

Thanks for stopping by. Take care and have a great week ahead!

Pens v Thrashers

DO IT.

GO PENS!!!!!!!!

Pens v Rangers (L 0-4)

During the offseason, we had a series TSCS Quotes of the Day. I think this one can be TSCS's Quote of the Month:

As for the "fight"....get over it complainers. He asked the guy, he went for it and then Sid paid the price in penalty minutes. It's done and it won't be the last time. This is hockey, not a tea party.

MC (a Friend of The Show)
January 5, 2009 5:16 PM

Prior to the start of the game, Versus reporter Christine Simpson got Siddo to admit that the team's morale is "somewhat" (← his word) "fragile" (← her word). That's significant because he is usually quite stoic in interviews, barely showing much emotion either positive or negative. His standard responses are deliberately neutral, so this admission was a bit of a surprise.

In another telling moment, Versus commentator Bill Patrick referred to the opponent as "the hated Rangers." It's nice to know it's not just us, haha! ;)

FIRST PERIOD

Just 31 seconds into the game, Superstar Max Talbot took out Ryan Callahan and then got in a scrap with another Ranger. Max was assessed a boarding penalty for the hit on Callahan. It took a mere 29 seconds for Nigel Dawes to bank one off Rob Scuderi's skate and into the twine behind Marc-Andre Fleury. [Pens 0, Rangers 1]


Brooks Orpik took one for the team by getting a stick in his face courtesy of Petr Prucha. There was blood, so the Pens were given 4:00 with a man advantage. Sid had an unreal shift on the ensuing power play. In less than 90 seconds, he had a great chance that Henrik Lundqvist stopped with a nice pad, then he hit the post, and finally he drew a holding penalty on Dmitri Kalinin. The resulting 5-on-3 - two full minutes with a 2 man advantage - was delayed because for whatever reason, Sid's goal post shot went to the War Room for review. It was ultimately ruled NO GOAL (no freaking kidding!), and the Pens got to work on their 5-on-3. The fans began booing Siddo whenever he touched the puck from this point until the end of the game. (Haha, they wouldn't "hate" him so much if they weren't so jealous that he's ours!) Geno Malkin fired a one-timer that struck the outside of the post as we were told that Geno has never scored at MSG in the regular season in his entire career. :O

The Pens didn't capitalize on their 2 man advantage, and with 2 seconds left on the penalty to Kalinin, Jordan Staal was called for interfering with his brother, Marc. Because Prucha was still in the box, we had a 4-on-4 during which neither team scored. The Rangers then had an abbreviated power play. Markus Naslund had Flower dead to rights but somehow didn't score. Paul Mara was shown spouting off to Eric Godard, who was conveniently safely on the Pens' bench. A scrum shortly thereafter resulted in coincidental roughing penalties for Matt Cooke and Brandon Dubinsky. During the 4-on-4, Geno and Gronk developed a quick 2-on-1, but Gronk shot the puck w-i-d-e. Neither team scored on the 4-on-4.


Later, Colton Orr was called for hooking. Siddo set up Tyler Kennedy, who was alone in front of Lundqvist, but the goalie poke checked TK to prevent the shot. The Pens didn't score on their advantage. As Orr was released from the box, the Rangers developed a 4-on-2, but mercifully the shot went high and wide. Flower went to play the puck but sent it right to Aaron Voros, though he quickly scrambled back to the crease to make the save. Voros was then called for a delayed penalty, and when the Rangers touched the puck, it was done with a shot that made it into the goal. As expected, as soon as the player touched the puck the refs blew the whistle, nonetheless, Rangers fans were inexplicably incredulous when the goal was immediately waved off. On the resulting Penguins power play, the Rangers nearly got a shorthanded chance, but Flower cut them off by coming WAY out for the poke check.

SECOND PERIOD

The Pens still had a bit of time on their power play, but it didn't matter. They didn't score. Green-eyed monsters were booing Siddo - mightily. The Rangers dominated puck possession in the Pens' zone, but the Pens were able to keep them up against the boards for most of the time. Gronk later got a nice centering pass at the other end of the ice, but his stick broke as he tried to take a shot. Then Sid was called for hooking to wild cheers from the Rangers fans. On the ensuing penalty kill, there was one loud collective shout "CROSBY SUCKS!" (Sure, that's why he's the all time top vote getter for the All Star Games.) The Rangers didn't score while Sid was in the box.


Later, Prucha tried to line Siddo up for what he intended to be a devastating hit, only The Kid was able to use his tree trunk legs to stand his ground, thus repelling the momentum and turning it around on Prucha, who ended up flatly on his keister. Geno, who was playing in his 200^th NHL game, drew a hooking penalty on Michal Rozsival. The Pens had only 2 seconds with the man advantage before Siddo was called for interference, again to loud cheers. Neither team scored while down a man. Kalinin later hit the crossbar. Cooke was called for interference. This time, the Rangers were able to score in 2 seconds. Scott Gomez won the faceoff to Mara, who shot and scored. [Pens 0, Rangers 2]

Sid got a good look at the net, but Lundqvist made another nice save on him. Siddo pounded the glass out of frustration. Chris Drury earned another late-in-the-period Rangers penalty for delay of game. Then the Rangers got a shorthanded chance that Flower was able to deny. The Pens didn't score on their advantage, making it the 30^th consecutive scoreless power play for our struggling team.

THIRD PERIOD

TK was called for tripping, but the Rangers didn't score. Brooksie put a big, clean hit on Orr. Kris Letang lost an edge, fell, and Drury scored. [Pens 0, Rangers 3] The "CROSBY SUCKS!!!" chant was deafening. Later Orr tried to get even with Orpik by drilling him then hitting Ryan Whitney only to be given a roughing penalty for his efforts. (More "CROSBY SUCKS!!!" nonsense - despite the fact that he had no part in this penalty.) There was just 3:49 left on the clock, and Head Coach Michel Therrien decided to roll the dice and pull MAF in favor of the extra attacker to make it 6-on-4. Unfortunately, MT would lose that bet. A failed dump into the corner saw the puck got right to Drury, who fired a long, arced pass above everyone's heads over center ice that went to the corner in the Pens' unguarded zone. Gomez beat all the Boys to the puck and easily swept it into the empty net. [Pens 0, Rangers 4] It was scored with 3:11 left in the game, making it the earliest EN goal this season.


The classy Rangers fans rained down on our captain with more boos, "CROSBY SUCKS!!!", and "CROS-by, CROS-by, CROS-by!!!!" chants. Godard and Orr had a fight. Miro Satan showed up in all the wrong ways when he was called for boarding with only 38 seconds left in the game, which all but assured the shutout for Lundqvist.

There's not much to say. We've got to shake it off and move on. Contrary to the story the score tells, the Pens actually did play well. They hit a lot of posts, there were a lot of great chances, and they managed to hold the Rangers at one goal for nearly 38 minutes. Something is just a fraction of a second off, and they (and we!) have got to soldier through until they make it click again.

Buck up, folks! Tomorrow, we face the Thrashers. The Pens - OUR Penguins - need our support.

GO PENS!!!!!!!!

Pens v Panthers (L 1-6)

I had believed I had scheduled a short post to be published in time for yesterday's game, but I accidentally set the date for the 4^th rather than the 3^rd. It's just as well - I had written some nonsense about our plans to go watch the game at a friend's house and how, just maybe, a change in venue for us would somehow effect a change in the Pens' fortune. How wrong was I?!

That was effing BRUTAL. And the high point of the game (at least it was for me!) also brought one of the lower points - our title man finally got a fire in his belly and let his fists do the talking only to be hit with nearly 20 minutes in various penalties.

First, Mad Max Talbot confronted Greg Campbell right off a faceoff after Campbell spent most of the game antagonizing Siddo. (Max received only a 5 minute major for fighting, and Campbell received the same.) On the very next faceoff, Sid went buckwild on Brett McLean. Sidney, however, was slapped with a game misconduct (10 minutes), a major for fighting (5 minutes), and two 2-minute minors (both served by Miro Satan) for unsportsmanlike conduct and instigating, while McLean was given only a 5 minute major for fighting.

Here is the clip of Crosby v McLean (as Sid was sent down the runway, my husband said, "I bet you McLean said something to him. Probably something like, 'Aww, baby has to have somebody else fight his battles!' deliberately to piss Crosby off and, haha, it worked!"):



Okay, so we all know that things aren't going well for the Pens. I had hoped that the Christmas break would help turn things around, but they're still struggling. These are definitely frustrating times. Accordingly, and though it is a few days late, I've got a small sample of New Year's resolutions I think are appropriate for our Boys:

• GM Ray Shero - Resolve to find a sniper for Sid. Sooner rather than later.


• Sid - Resolve to score more. Setting up plays is good, and I'm definitely not complaining about that, but we're all sorely missing your highlight reel goals. And who better to set a goal scoring example than our captain? No pressure, though...


• Geno - You have to quit with the fancy passes giveaways. While it definitely looks cool when you pass the puck behind yourself between your legs while you're not looking, it is only beneficial to the team if the puck actually goes to a guy wearing the same jersey as you.


• Fedotenko - Nothing. Stay exactly as you are.


• Satan - Something. Anything. I actually sometimes forget you're on the team.


• Any player who calls himself a Penguins defenseman - This may sound crazy, but how about defending the goal once in a while? The goaltender is supposed to be your last line of defense - NOT the only line of defense. Just a thought.
  Special note to the offensive defensemen: Actually scoring goals is what makes you an "offensive" defenseman.


• The Injury Bug - I think it's about high time you pack up your curse and get out of the Burgh. You should head east. I'm sure you'll find a couple of guys to satisfy your appetite there. ;)

Seriously though, as bad as things may seem, the season isn't a wash just yet. However, it is pretty obvious that time is definitely not on our side. But, just as we did during the lean times, we need to support our Penguins now more than ever. If we don't give up on them, they won't give up on themselves. So wear your black and gold and be louder and prouder:

GO PENS!!!!!!!!

The 2008 Cybils Finalists

I was away in New Hampshire for a few days welcoming in the New Year with close friends. We had no Internet access in our unit—so I took a blogging vacation. While I was away, the 2008 Cybils Book Finalists were announced.

The 2008 Cybils Finalists

Click on each genre for its short list:

• Easy Readers
• Fantasy & Science Fiction
• Fiction Picture Books
• Graphic Novels
• Middle Grade Fiction
• Non-Fiction MG/YA
• Non-Fiction Picture Books
• Poetry
• Young Adult Fiction

Circus (1936) USSR, January 20 USA

The Soviet Movie Circus (1936) has portrayed a dream, an ideal for a Utopia. Unfortunately, it was only more than half a century later that the world had been convinced that top down wills often lead us astray, and we end up far away from the original objective. The human world is just too complex to be engineered that way.

We have since learned that changes need to be bottom up, and the path appraoched step by step, starting from the most fundamental principles.

影片《大马戏团》插曲

To January 20th, USA, where the 1936 Soviet dream re-emerged (or got one step closer, though  still far from what we can call "coming true") on the other side of the earth.

(Happy New Year) light viewing: might as well watch this Red Cliff instead